Understanding what happens in the FORE interview room
New Delhi, Delhi
FORE conducts extempore + business awareness quiz + pi interviews. Unique three-part format testing spontaneous thinking, business knowledge, and entrepreneurial mindset Interviews scheduled: PI rounds: February-March 2026 (dates TBA)
Prepare with AI mock interviews that simulate FORE's unique extempore + business awareness quiz + pi approach.
PI rounds: February-March 2026 (dates TBA)
• Avg work experience: 18 months
• Class size: 180 students
• Female students: 30%
Founded in 1981 by Foundation for Organisational Research and Education (FORE) and Dr. B.B.L. Madhukar. This heritage shapes everything about the interview process.
FORE's DNA is rooted in practical management education with a strong entrepreneurial bent. Unlike government-run IIMs or older private institutions with rigid traditions, FORE was built by Delhi's business community to produce managers who think like business owners. The interview reflects this: they're not just testing your academics — they're probing whether you have the business acumen and entrepreneurial mindset to thrive in a competitive corporate environment. The Qutab Institutional Area location means FORE students learn alongside IIFT and IMI peers, creating a unique collaborative ecosystem. With AACSB accreditation and exceptional ROI (average package of INR 16+ LPA), FORE offers tier-1 private education at accessible price points.
FORE panelists often reference alumni achievements to test awareness. Know these names and what they're known for.
President & Chief Business Officer, Pine Labs
Leading one of Asia's largest fintech platforms. His journey from FORE to leadership at Pine Labs — after stints at Visa, American Express, and Citibank — exemplifies FORE's placement strength in financial services. Featured in ET 40 Under Forty.
Founder & CEO, XLNT India
Built a startup while still a student at FORE (Batch 2009-11). His entrepreneurial journey exemplifies FORE's emphasis on building businesses, not just business skills. XLNT India is now a recognized IT solutions provider to educational institutions.
Co-Founder & Partner, Blue Edge Associates
Represents FORE's entrepreneurial legacy in consulting. Built a successful boutique consulting firm, demonstrating that FORE alumni can create their own paths rather than just joining established firms.
Managing Director, Tatsavitur Investment and Holding Pvt Ltd
Leads an investment holding company, representing FORE alumni success in investment management and private equity. His career demonstrates FORE's strong finance placement track record.
Vice President, HDFC Life
Senior leadership at one of India's largest life insurance companies. Represents FORE's strong alumni presence in BFSI sector, which accounts for 27% of placements.
Unique three-part format testing spontaneous thinking, business knowledge, and entrepreneurial mindset
FORE has a distinctive interview process that differs from most B-schools. Instead of traditional GD, FORE uses Extempore (1-2 minutes of impromptu speaking), a Business Awareness Quiz (BAQ with MCQs on business news and economics), and Personal Interview. The Extempore tests your ability to structure thoughts instantly — a skill entrepreneurs need daily. The BAQ filters for candidates who stay updated on business developments. The PI then probes your background, career goals, and most importantly, your business thinking and entrepreneurial potential.
FORE's entrepreneurial DNA means they value candidates who can think on their feet, stay current with business developments, and demonstrate genuine business acumen. The Extempore round is particularly revealing — in 1-2 minutes with no preparation, you can't fake knowledge or structure. The BAQ ensures you're not just academically prepared but also business-aware. They want students who already think like business professionals, not those who will learn business thinking only in the classroom.
"A candidate with IT background received the extempore topic: "How technology is changing traditional businesses." The panel then asked BAQ questions about recent IT ministry policies and startup funding trends. In PI, they probed: "You work for a services company. If you had to start a product company tomorrow, what would you build and why?" The candidate who connected their work experience to a specific business opportunity — showing they'd thought about building, not just servicing — demonstrated the entrepreneurial thinking FORE values."
We trained Rehearsal on FORE's interview style. Now it trains you.
Try a free FORE mock interviewDon't just memorize questions. Understand the categories, why they ask them, and how to prepare.
"Leaders are made, not born" or a topic directly connected to your profile like: "How can your engineering background contribute to management?"
Extempore is FORE's signature selection tool. In 1-2 minutes with zero preparation, they see the real you — can you think fast, structure thoughts, and communicate clearly? This skill directly translates to business presentations, client meetings, and entrepreneurial pitches.
"Leaders are made, not born."
Classic debate topic — take a clear stance with personal or business examples
Practice this question"How can [your engineering branch] relate to management?"
Profile-based — shows if you've thought about your journey
"COVID-19 containment: lessons for business"
Current affairs with business application
"Your city's biggest problem and how to solve it"
Tests local awareness and solution-oriented thinking
Three MCQs per candidate on recent business news, economic policies, government reforms, or management concepts. Questions like: "Who is the current RBI Governor?" or "What is the GST rate on [product category]?"
BAQ is FORE's way of testing whether you're a business news consumer or someone who only opened Economic Times during interview prep. They want candidates who naturally stay informed about business developments — a habit essential for any manager or entrepreneur.
"What is India's current per capita GDP?"
Basic economic awareness — know approximate figures
Practice this question"Who framed the 12th Five Year Plan?"
Tests knowledge of economic planning history
"Tell us about the Satyam Scam"
Classic corporate governance case — know key facts
"Which is more important — Five Year Plan or Budget? Why?"
Tests understanding of economic policy mechanisms
"If you had to start a business tomorrow, what would it be?" or "What problem in your industry would you solve if you had unlimited resources?"
FORE's Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED) isn't decorative — it reflects the institution's DNA. Even if you want a corporate career, they want to see entrepreneurial thinking: identifying problems, envisioning solutions, understanding business models. This separates managers from leaders.
"If you had to start a company tomorrow, what would it be?"
Tests entrepreneurial imagination — have a specific, thoughtful answer
Practice this question"What is one problem your company isn't solving that you would solve?"
Shows you think beyond your job description
"Name a startup you admire. What makes them successful?"
Tests whether you follow the ecosystem
"Why do most startups fail? How would you avoid failure?"
Tests realistic understanding of entrepreneurship
"Walk me through your daily work." or "What is the biggest problem your industry faces today?"
FORE values practical business exposure. They probe work experience not just to verify your resume but to understand if you truly grasp your industry, company, and role. Candidates who can connect daily tasks to business outcomes stand out — they think like managers already.
"Explain what your company does. How do you contribute to its success?"
Connect your role to business outcomes, not just activities
Practice this question"Why is your role important to your organization?"
Tests whether you understand your value proposition
"What is HR's role in a company? Why did you choose HR?"
Function-specific understanding for specialized roles
"If you were CEO of your company, what would you change first?"
Tests strategic thinking beyond your current role
"What's your view on RBI's recent interest rate decision?" or "How will AI impact your industry?"
Beyond the BAQ, PI continues testing business awareness. FORE panelists expect candidates to have opinions on economic policy, not just factual recall. They're looking for people who consume business news as a habit, not a chore.
"What do you think about recent GST changes?"
Policy awareness with business implications
Practice this question"How is inflation affecting Indian consumers and businesses?"
Economic awareness with practical application
"What's happening in the startup funding environment?"
Tests whether you follow business ecosystem news
"Should India privatize more PSU banks? Why or why not?"
Tests ability to form and defend policy opinions
"What is the difference between integrity and honesty?" or "What is the difference between character and reputation?"
FORE probes character through philosophical questions that reveal how you think about ethics and personal values. These aren't trick questions — they want to see reflection, not memorized definitions. Business leaders face ethical dilemmas; FORE wants candidates who've thought about their moral foundations.
"What is the difference between integrity and honesty?"
Think carefully — these are related but distinct concepts
Practice this question"What is the difference between character and reputation?"
Tests self-reflection and philosophical thinking
"What is the difference between hearing and listening?"
Tests whether you've thought about communication deeply
"What does success mean to you?"
They want your personal definition, not a generic answer
"Why FORE specifically? What do you know about our programs?" or "What will you do if you don't get into any B-school this year?"
They want genuine interest, not candidates who applied everywhere. Know FORE's specific strengths: AACSB accreditation, Centre for Entrepreneurship Development, Qutab Institutional Area location, international immersion programs. Generic answers about "good placements" or "Delhi location" show you haven't researched.
"Why FORE over other Delhi B-schools like IMI or IIFT?"
Know FORE's specific differentiators
Practice this question"What do you know about our Centre for Entrepreneurship Development?"
Shows you've researched beyond rankings
"What specific post-MBA role are you targeting?"
Specificity matters — vague answers don't convince
"What if you don't get into any B-school this year?"
Tests maturity and whether MBA is part of a larger plan
"Why did your grades drop in third year?" or "Explain any concept from your graduation subject."
FORE values academic foundation even for working professionals. If there are gaps in your transcript, they want honest explanations. If you claim expertise in a subject, expect probing. Intellectual honesty matters more than a perfect record.
"Why is there a sudden drop in your graduation marks?"
Be honest about challenges — show what you learned
Practice this question"Explain [concept from your graduation] to me simply."
Tests whether you truly understand your field
"How has your academic background prepared you for management?"
Connect education to business skills
"What was your favorite subject in college? Why?"
Reveals intellectual curiosity and genuine interests
Context-specific topics that FORE panelists often reference. Know these well.
CED is FORE's signature initiative, running since 2010. Understanding CED shows you grasp what makes FORE different from other B-schools.
AACSB places FORE among the top 5% of business schools globally. This isn't just a badge — it signals rigorous academic standards and global recognition.
FORE's location isn't incidental — sharing a campus cluster with IIFT and IMI creates unique academic and networking advantages.
Understanding placement patterns shows you're thinking about career outcomes, not just admission.
What to expect at each stage.
You're given a topic and must speak immediately for 1-2 minutes. Topics can be abstract ("Leadership is lonely"), profile-based ("How does your engineering degree relate to management?"), or current affairs-based. No notes, no preparation time — you speak as soon as the topic is announced.
Clarity of thought under pressure, ability to structure ideas instantly, confidence without arrogance, and relevance of content. They note if you ramble, freeze, or fail to take a stance.
Practice the 3-point structure daily: Position statement ("I believe..."), Point 1 with example, Point 2 with example, Conclusion linking back to position. This works for any topic. Speaking for 90 seconds with structure beats 2 minutes of rambling.
Each candidate answers 3 MCQ-style questions on business news, economic policies, government reforms, and management concepts. Questions are asked orally, and you respond immediately. Topics range from "Who is the current RBI Governor?" to more nuanced policy questions.
Regular consumption of business news, understanding of economic environment, awareness of major policy developments, and comfort with business vocabulary.
Start reading business newspapers 3 months before your interview. Focus on: RBI policies, Budget highlights, major M&A news, startup funding rounds, and government economic schemes. Economic Times, Mint, and Business Standard are essential.
A panel of 3-4 interviewers (faculty members) conducts a conversational interview covering your work experience, academic background, extempore topic, career goals, and entrepreneurial thinking. Questions probe depth — they follow up on your answers to see how deep your knowledge goes.
Business acumen, clarity of career goals, self-awareness, entrepreneurial mindset, communication skills, and genuine fit with FORE's culture.
Connect everything to business outcomes. When discussing work, focus on impact, not just activities. When discussing career goals, show how FORE specifically enables them. If asked about entrepreneurship, have a business idea ready — even if rough. FORE values builders and doers.
FORE's Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED) isn't an afterthought — it reflects the institution's core philosophy. Even students targeting corporate careers are expected to think like business owners: identifying opportunities, understanding value creation, and taking calculated risks.
Interview Implication: Panelists probe entrepreneurial thinking regardless of your stated career goals. Show you've thought about building businesses, not just joining them. Have a business idea ready — it reveals how you think about problems and opportunities.
FORE students are expected to be business-aware from day one. The BAQ in admissions sets this tone — you're joining a community where reading the Economic Times is a daily habit, not interview preparation.
Interview Implication: Don't just prepare current affairs for the interview — develop the habit now. Panelists can tell the difference between genuine business interest and last-minute cramming. They look for people who naturally stay informed.
Located in Qutab Institutional Area with IIFT and IMI nearby, FORE provides access to Delhi's corporate network, government connections, and a vibrant B-school community. The location shapes internships, guest lectures, and placement opportunities.
Interview Implication: Show awareness of what Delhi offers beyond the classroom. Panelists appreciate candidates who understand how to leverage the location for learning, networking, and career building.
Hard moments will happen. Here's how to handle them.
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Stress Interview | 6 question categories
Analytical & Entrepreneurship-Focused | 5 question categories
Current Affairs & Finance Deep-Dive | 5 question categories
Comprehensive Coverage Interview | 6 question categories
Balanced Assessment with Extempore | 6 question categories
Extempore + SOP Discussion + PI | 6 question categories
Values & Ethics-Based Interview | 6 question categories
Conversational Probing | 6 question categories
Corporate Conversational Interview | 6 question categories
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Analytical Problem-Solving Style | 6 question categories
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Purpose-Driven Evaluation Style | 6 question categories
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Independent Personal Interview | 7 question categories
Analytical & Industry-Ready Assessment | 7 question categories
Finance-Focused GD-PI Assessment | 6 question categories
Practical Orientation Assessment | 7 question categories
Values & Sustainability-Based Interview | 6 question categories
Profile-Based Conversational Interview | 6 question categories
Case-Based Conversational Interview | 6 question categories
Collaborative Evaluation | 6 question categories
Holistic Profile Evaluation | 6 question categories
Profile-Based Conversational | 5 question categories
Ethics-Centered Evaluation | 5 question categories
Extempore + Conversational PI | 6 question categories
Research-Oriented WAT-PI | 6 question categories
Independent Admission with Extempore | 6 question categories
JAP (Joint Admission Process) Interview | 6 question categories
JAP (Joint Admission Process) Personal Interview | 6 question categories
JAP Coordinator - Conversational PI | 7 question categories
Conversational Assessment with Profile Focus | 5 question categories
Conversational Academic Assessment | 5 question categories
Academic-Focused Conversational Interview | 6 question categories
Conversational Academic Probe | 5 question categories
Profile-Based Practical Evaluation | 7 question categories
Structured CT-PI Evaluation | 7 question categories
Profile-Based Analytical Assessment | 6 question categories
Our AI simulates the extempore + business awareness quiz + pi style — including interruptions, challenges, and the pressure of thinking on your feet.